Chapter 197
This candy was my favorite flavor when I was little. You could break it into pieces, and it would melt in your mouth.
I hadn't had it in ages. The candy at Aiden's place was too fancy - they didn't have this old-fashioned kind.
"This candy is really sweet. Where did you get it?"
"You can still find it in some small towns and villages."
I showed the candy to Nola. "Nola, did you ever eat this kind when you were little?"
"Blair, this is ancient history. Where did you dig up this old relic?"
I pointed at Levi. "He gave it to me."
Nola grinned and gave an awkward laugh. "Forget I said anything."
"Levi, are you feeling nostalgic or something? With your status, you shouldn't be into this kind of candy." John took the candy from my hand and looked it over.
"This one's different."
John chuckled. "Don't tell me it was a gift from your first love?"
Nola kicked him and shot him a look.
"Oops, I'm just kidding. Just joking around."
I knew Nola was worried about hurting my feelings. After all, Jessa had done enough damage. Whenever I thought about them being together, it still hurt.
"In a way, yes."
Levi answered the question directly. Was it because Jessa had given it to him that he found it sweet?
"When I was around ten, a little girl gave me a star and a piece of candy."
When Levi finished speaking, my head was buzzing like it was about to explode. He must be talking about me...
So I was his first love?
But kids that age don't understand what love is. Back then, I was just grateful to him, and I gave him the gift to thank him.
Those little gifts seemed so insignificant at the time, but Levi seemed to have never forgotten them?
"So our Mr. Morgan is quite the romantic." John tried to lighten the mood with a joke and end the topic.
Just then, the host reminded everyone to get ready, so none of us continued the conversation.
My face felt hot, and I almost didn't dare look Levi in the eye. He brought up what happened back then again. I didn't know if it was just my imagination, but I felt like he cared about me.
I broke the candy in half and offered him one piece. "Do you want some?"
"Yeah."
He lowered his head, and I held it up to him. The candy went smoothly into his mouth.
We both savored the sweetness of the candy, and then, after the host's signal, Levi kissed me passionately...
For a moment, my mind went blank. I closed my eyes and followed his rhythm. I felt like a white goose bathing in sweet rain, exploring Levi's soul.
I don't know how long we kissed. My eyes and ears seemed to have stopped working. I felt both dead and reborn at the same time.
"Let's congratulate our final winners! They've shown us the sweetness of love. Everyone, let's give them a round of applause!"
Levi's lips gradually pulled away. I opened my eyes. He didn't immediately let go of my shoulders, but instead shifted his angle and held me in his arms.
Everyone around us was clapping. I glanced at Nola, and she was nodding at me like crazy. At that moment, I knew - I had won.
"Now let's have our staff bring the prize to our champions. The other top performers will also receive a souvenir."
The girl who had been handing out flyers came toward us carrying the prize. I could see the envy in her eyes. I suddenly wanted to give it to her.
"How about we give the prize to her? I'd be happy knowing someone else likes the star."
I was asking for Levi's opinion, but he shook his head and refused.
"Not this one."
"Why not?"
Levi didn't answer, but he took the prize from the presenter's hands and held it very carefully.
John put the souvenir in Nola's hands. "Honey, if you hadn't felt sick earlier, we might not have lost."
"Don't you know why I felt sick?" Nola glared at him.
"Your company has tons of those prizes. If you really like it, just ask Blair to design you an upgraded version. It'll definitely be better than this one."
Nola pouted. "You think Levi cares about the prize itself? He cares about what it means."
Her words were like a revelation. So Levi wasn't being selfish - this prize had special meaning to him. Of course, it was special to me too.
"So, is it because you like stars?"
I guessed he must care about the star and candy from his memory, which is why he treasured them.
"It's because the star is connected to you."
Levi took out the ring and put it on my ring finger. "I treasure the star, but I care more about the person who gave it to me."
Such a direct confession felt unreal. I watched as he touched the ring, then let go of my hand.
"Are you afraid of people finding out you're married?"
Levi looked into my eyes, very seriously.
"No."
"Then why aren't you wearing a ring?"
I thought back to when he returned to the country with Jessa. I had completely fallen apart then. I thought our marriage was ending. I couldn't convince myself to accept my husband's affair...
So I had thrown our wedding rings into the lake long ago. By now, they'd been washed away by the current to some place I'd never know.
"You already threw it away, didn't you?"
"Yes."
I didn't avoid the question. I admitted it directly.
"And today you're wearing one again. Do you think it can just be given away to anyone?"
Levi's lips curved up, and my heart melted.
"No."
He was satisfied with my answer. I wasn't trying to please him or flatter him - this was my honest feeling at that moment. I really did treasure this ring that had been given new meaning.
At some point, John had prepared a bouquet of flowers and handed it to Levi.
"May I ask the famous Mr. Morgan, do you dare propose to your wife?"
Levi took the flowers and knelt on one knee. "Why wouldn't I dare!"
I really couldn't take it anymore. I was already a complete mess when he put the ring on my finger, and now he was going to propose to me?
When we got married, it was just a contract on paper. We never even had a wedding...
"Blair Ember, will you marry me?"
Standing before him was no longer the childhood Jessa Greer. By calling me Blair Ember, he was fundamentally making clear who I was.
Nola patted my back. "Blair, say yes."
"Um..."
Looking at the sincere Levi in front of me, I was too moved to speak. I never thought he would formally propose to me. I had even thought our marriage was about to end...
My true feelings told me not to hesitate, but whenever I thought about all those women around him, my heart would panic.
"Marry him, marry him!"
People around us were cheering. Once such a grand scene got out, everyone would soon know about Levi and me.
I took the flowers from his hand and pulled him up. "I do."